Exerciser and Protocol Analyzer tests PCI-X 2.0 technology.

Press Release Summary:




Able to test for double data rate (DDR) technologies, E2930A Exerciser and Protocol Analyzer allows users to develop next-generation servers and chipsets. Programmable protocol exerciser validates and tests compliance of intelligent I/O buses, while protocol analyzer is used to view traffic on PCI bus and debug system performance through root-cause analysis and trouble-shooting. Built-in protocol checker simultaneously tests for 60+ protocol rules in real-time.



Original Press Release:



Agilent Technologies Introduces First Exerciser and Protocol Analyzer for Development of New High-Speed PCI-X 2.0 Technology



New Tools Selected by Industry Group PCI-SIG for Compliance Workshops

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 18, 2003 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced the first exerciser and protocol analyzer test tools for PCI-X(tm) 2.0 development. PCI-SIG®, the industry organization chartered to develop and manage PCI, PCI-X and PCI Express(tm) industry-standard I/O technologies, has selected the new Agilent tools for testing of PCI-X 2.0 for double data rate (DDR) technologies at upcoming PCI-SIG compliance workshops.

The Agilent E2930A Exerciser and Protocol Analyzer for PCI-X 2.0 allows R&D, quality assurance and system design engineers to develop next-generation servers and chipsets based on PCI-X 2.0 I/O interface technologies. The tools speed test execution, ensure compliance to PCI-X 2.0 I/O specifications, increase test coverage, save costs when compared with "hot mock-up" methods, and improve product quality with real-time performance measurements.

"PCI-SIG has selected the new Agilent test tools to help facilitate interaction between members testing the PCI-X 2.0 specification at our compliance workshops," said Al Yanes, president of PCI-SIG. "These quality tools will give our members the best testing options to minimize interoperability issues between OEMs, system vendors and add-in card vendors."

"Agilent has built on its more than 10-year history in the system I/O protocol test and validation market in offering the new PCI-X 2.0 exerciser and protocol analyzer," said Siegfried Gross, vice president and general manager for Agilent Technologies Boeblingen Verification Solutions Division. "This announcement reinforces our long-term commitment to provide high-quality test solutions for I/O development based on parallel and serial PCI architectures, including PCI-X 2.0 and PCI Express."

The protocol exerciser is a key tool for validation and compliance testing of intelligent I/O buses. When used with the protocol analyzer, the exerciser expands debug, test and validation capabilities beyond what is possible using the analyzer alone. The Agilent E2930A Exerciser for PCI-X 2.0 is fully programmable, enabling BIOS testing, as well as the ability to stress all data paths in a system, test corner cases and test the error recovery system. The test tool is able to access and communicate with configuration, memory and I/O space of devices on the bus, and it supports split transactions as well as immediate responses. Push button tests and compliance tests are available with the System Validation Package software. New validation and test environments can be created using the C-Application Programming Interface (C-API).

The Agilent E2930A Protocol Analyzer for PCI-X 2.0 is used to view traffic on the PCI bus and debug system performance through root-cause analysis and trouble-shooting. It comes with a built-in protocol checker that simultaneously tests for more than 60 protocol rules in real time. The protocol analyzer is able to display bus transfers graphically with trigger, filter and search functions. The protocol analyzer also provides post-processed and/or real-time performance analysis capabilities.

The new exerciser and protocol analyzer test tools will debut at IDF in Agilent booth no. 719. More information on Agilent exerciser and analyzer products is available at agilent.com/find/pci_products.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent E2930A Exerciser and Protocol Analyzer for PCI-X 2.0 and the C-API can be ordered now, with deliveries expected to begin in June 2003. The System Validation Package is expected to be available in October 2003. Prices start at $14,000.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 35,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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